Tuesday 15 November 2011

A Wonky Change of Heart

You may remember that way back on day 2 of the '30 Hello! Project Idol Challenge' I selected Reina as an idol I disliked. Recently I have been unsure if this was the right decision. Sure, I still find Reina to be slightly powerless on stage but she has pretty much won me over as far as personality goes and her voice has improved a lot recently.

I often see people writing about how Reina's singing is whiny and how they wish she would go back to being the "old Reina". As far as I understand, Reina changed the way she sung around her joining to her later whiny tone because her style of singing was harmful to her throat. I think everyone can agree that her tone post Shabondama wasn't the most natural or pleasant. ("Sekushiiii Aiirann" anyone?) However, listening to new songs such as 'Silver no Udedokei', 'Kono Chikyuu blah blah blah' and the new Mobekimasu b-side 'Kacchoi Uta' I get the impression that Reina is finally figuring out how to use her voice to it's full potential. Its as if her voice has suddenly become more 3 dimensional. Her tone is warm and she has some nice vibrato going on. (Now if only Airi Suzuki would follow suit. Another great technical vocalist with an unfortunate lack of warmth.) In fact, I much prefer this Reina to the "Old Reina" everyone mourns.

It seems I will have to reconsider who my disliked idols are. Even Risako has won me over so I guess it all comes back to my original victim . . . . sorry Ayaya.

 Also, Reina is far overdue another photobook. Some of the shots in 'Very Reina' seem pretty interesting. Reina works well away from the bikini formula so I'd love to see a fashion orientated photobook from her soon.

Friday 4 November 2011

Hello! Project need some new groups.

I don't mean fresh faces, I mean they need to utilise the faces they have. Remember subgroups like Tanpopo, Petit Moni and Mini Moni. Random thrown together groups like Gomattou and Def. Diva. I reckon H!P would really benefit from a few new units (is that the word?). It would allow them to promote the girls as individuals rather than just one large shapeless entity. Now what is needed is ideas.

Recently I have been loving this.
Unfortunately I feel that Risako is the only one who really pulled this off. I then came accross a video of C-ute's Chisato singing the same song and loved it.
So here is new group idea number one :
3 members - Niigaki Risa, Sugaya Risako, Okai Chisato.
In my opinion, these are three members who are not technically the best singers but all have voices that are among the most unique and interesting in H!P. This is also a group that would have a lot of power or, for lack of a better word, "oomph".





New group idea number two:
4 members - Michishige Sayumi, Fukumura Mizuki, Nakajima Saki, Fukuda Kanon
After the great 'Suki da na kimi ga' I have wanted a group doing stuff in that cutesy electro-pop genre. I would also love to see this group do songs like 'Momoiro Sparkling' or even something like 'Otome Pasta ni Kandou'. Basically a sweet sugary group.

  I would want this group to have this kind of bold, colourful image.